Head of Abortion Rights Group Debates With Pro-Life Leader

The president of the National Right to Life Committee (NRLC) argued that legislation for abortion "on demand" will "lead to euthanasia" for aged and handicapped people during a debate with the executive director of a National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL) last night in Emerson Hall.

The debate sponsored by the Institute of Politics' study group "Pressure Groups, Prestige, and the Press," was moderated by the study group's leader, Chuck Stone, senior editor of The Philadelphia Daily News.

Dr. John C. Willkie, speaking for the right-to-life group, asserted that life is present the first day after conception, and that only abortion is equal to killing a human being. He illustrated his points with statistical graphs, a taped recording of the heartbeat of a fetus, and graphic slides of aborted features.

Nanette Falkenberg of NARAL addressed only the political aspects of the abortion issue, not responding to the moral issues Wilkie raised.

Stating that the debate was meant to concern political action and that abortion "is a matter of personal choice," Falkenberg emphasized the political strategies of NARAL in her presentation.

The 120-member audience's reaction to what one observer described as Wilkie's "overly emotional approach" varied from laughter and hisses to rapt attention.

Christopher Lacovara '96 said he appreciated that Fulkenberg "stuck to the purpose of the program." But he added that in light of her opponent's sophisticated presentation "It was a more dangerous position to take."